FEATURED RESOURCE
Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) has released organic seed production and handling resources for Montana specialty crop seed growers. Seed Quality: Best Practices for Vegetable Seed Handling in Montana walks growers through best practices for producing vegetable crop seed using organic practices and for handling the seed they sell commercially. The resources include an in-depth guide to understanding seed quality standards and 10 crop-specific summaries of best practices for seed production. Posted July 24, 2018.

FEATURED ARTICLE
Farmer Fly-in
by Clifford MerrimanIn early March, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition flew several farmers from all over the United States to Washington, D.C. to discuss programs important to organic farmers and ranchers in preparation for the upcoming farm bill.
Read more here.Image courtesy of Robbe Lindsay, MontanaGrow

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
Santa Clara University has developed two short surveys to ask farmers about the biggest challenges they face monitoring their crops and conserving water. Your responses could provide new insights that will guide future innovations in agricultural efficiency and environmental sustainability. Survey on crop monitoring: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RDLVQVC. Survey on irrigation/water use: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2YZGZTJ. Posted July 9, 2018.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 2018 MOA CONFERENCEDecember 6-8, 2018 at the Mansfield Center in Great Falls, Montana. Read more here.
Check out MOA's GMO Page
Read commentary from MOA members and learn the latest about GMOs by visiting MOA's GMO page here. Explore the links and resources on the GMO page to learn more about GMOs and the latest efforts to eradicate them. You can also join in the conversation by sending in your comments and links. Bookmark this new GMO page and visit often for updates.

MOA Member Benefit and Ag Safety Webpage
Montana Organic Association is now a member of the Montana’s Ag Safety Program. MOA members (farmers & ranchers) may be eligible for Ag Group return premiums if overall accidents are reduced, as well as any general dividends issued by State Fund. Find out how to make your workplace safe by visiting our Ag Safety webpage here.

The USDA announced the decision to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule published on January 19, 2017. The rule would have increased federal regulation of livestock and poultry for certified organic producers and handlers. The withdrawal becomes effective May 13, 2018. Read more here.

A MOA-member farm and another Bitterroot farm are featured in a new resource manual for the growing field of “agritourism.” Read Agritourism is coming of age in Montana, by Eve Byron, Ravali Republic, December 22, 2017.

The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) hopes to give military veterans and their spouses an opportunity to see sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and examine farming as a viable career. Trainings range in length from conference presentations, two-day workshops, and week-long training events. Join us October 15-19, 2018 in Glendive, Montana. Apply here today. Posted July 19, 2018.

Farm Aid has introduced a new online resource to help people understand what's actually in the Farm Bill and take action. Visit Farm Aid to learn more. Posted June 11, 2018.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has set a June 1, 2018, application cutoff for agricultural operators to be considered for 2019 conservation program funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Applications made after the June 1 cutoff will be considered in the next funding cycle. Additional information is available on the Montana NRCS website at www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov under the Programs tab or you can contact your local NRCS service center.

Agricultural producers in Montana’s Upper Clark Fork River Watershed area have until May 18, 2018, to apply for financial assistance for conservation practices funded through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Read more here.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering a localized initiative addressing water conservation and drought resiliency in the Missouri Headwaters Basin of Southwestern Montana. While EQIP applications are accepted year-round, applications for this local initiative must be received by March 30, 2018. More here.

Assistance Available to Agricultural Producers through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps private landowners build their business while implementing conservation practices that help ensure the sustainability of their entire operation. NRCS plans to enroll up to 10 million acres in CSP in 2018. While applications for CSP are accepted year round, applications must be received by March 2, 2018 to be considered for this funding period. Contact your local USDA service center or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture is accepting applications for $17.7 million through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, which supports the delivery of education, mentoring, and technical-assistance programs. Applications are due February 8, 2018.

Whiteflies are tiny, white insects that cause crop losses on a global scale. This tipsheet,"Whiteflies - Botanical Control Formulations," offers advice and direction on eliminating these pests through botanical pesticides. From NCAT, posted November 27, 2017.

Western SARE Graduate Student Grants provide a maximum of $25,000 and may last for up to two years. Masters or Ph.D. students enrolled full time at accredited colleges or universities in the Western region are eligible to apply. Grant proposals are due January 12, 2018. More here.

A Crop Budgeting Tool from the Organic Trade Association is available to help farmers in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana plan future organic crop production and understand the economic impacts of their agronomic practices. Learn more about the project and download the worksheets.

Finding Farmland is a calculator, from Young Farmers, to compare finance options on a single property or between two properties. Explore the case study to see how one farmer navigated the path to secure land access.

ATTRA Webinar: “Crop Planning for Vegetable Farmers” was recorded and archived on NCAT’s ATTRA program website at, where it’s available to view free of charge. If you have questions concerning the webinar or any other sustainable-agriculture issues, you can use the email “Ask an Ag Expert” feature on the website or call the ATTRA “hotline” at 800-346-9140. Both are free of charge.

Organic Seed Alliance released a report that details the organic seed needs of vegetable growers in Montana. The findings can be found here. Posted December 16, 2016.

Community Food & Agriculture Coalition launched a statewide specialty crop mini-grant, a regional 0% interest loan, and a free technical assistance program for those considering Farm Service Agency financing, posted November 18, 2016. More here.

Reports Describe Plant Breeding Priorities for Organic, OSA and Cornell University have each released a report that details plant breeding priorities for organic agriculture in the Pacific Northwest and Northeast. October 7, 2016.
A new ATTRA tipsheet, “Grasshoppers – Botanical Control Formulations” summarizes the most effective ways to use some of those botanicals, including neem, garlic, mint, and eucalyptus. It also contains references for further study. Download this free publication here.

The Organic Seed Alliance has published "State of Organic Seed, 2016. To download the report, visit http://stateoforganicseed.org/. Posted July 6, 2016.

FarmAnswers.org is a Clearinghouse to Help You Start and Advance Your Agricultural Business. Find out more here.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Livestock, Poultry, and Grain (LPG) Market News recently published the National Organic Grain and Feedstuffs report. Published bi-weekly, this report provides organic price information at the farm gate and on a delivered elevator basis. The report also highlights the market's spot trade and forward contract activity.

The National Organic Program Handbook provides those who own, manage, or certify organic operations with guidance and instructions that can assist them in complying with the USDA organic regulations. Posted March 1, 2013.

DriftWatch is an online tool to help protect pesticide-sensitive crops and habitats from the drift that sometimes occurs during spray operations. Visit www.driftwatch.org. Posted January 28, 2013.

Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG) has released a comprehensive and much-anticipated publication, the Farmers’ Guide to Organic Contracts, written to help farmers make informed decisions at every stage of the contract relationship (available for free download at www.flaginc.org).

Another Bountiful Growing Season is Gearing Up
But MOA is still busy with event planning, publication production and web development. Please bookmark this site and visit again soon for updated information.